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CH. 1 ALTON, MARI AND JESS FIND A STAIRWAY
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Alton, Mari and Jess had met in the ruins. They had stumbled upon
each other while pursuing various interests and it was Alton who
had built the shed where they all stored their tools. Mari stashed
her trapping equipment and repaired nets there while waiting for
slop to dry into clay. Jess had installed observation equipment
and took astrological notes after performing short plays in the
nearby town. Alton always had two of something cooking, a tasty
stew over the fire and big plans for an inn that he would build
someday.
One evening Mari was spreading slop to dry into clay when she
heard the distinct sound of water dripping below the slab of wall
she was using. She called Jess and Alton over and they quickly
removed the slop. Jess confirmed form the layout of the ruins that
there was probably a cellar entrance at that spot. So finally Alto
began working on a frame and winch to lift the section of wall
that had fallen over their target. After 3 days of shifting and
anchoring and slipping and lifting they had finally uncovered the
stairs.
It didn’t smell like a normal cellar and none of them had
experience in exploring. Finally after some debate, Alton lit a
torch and led the way down. Alton paused several times to stop and
listen but heard nothing. As they went deeper it got much
colder. They had not prepared for cold and were about to turn back
but then they heard a faint sound like arguing children, but
children that had smoked heavily for 30 or so years.
With great care the three descended until their reflected torch
light revealed a large ornate stone door that was slightly ajar. A
faint scent of refuse and singed hair wafted towards them carrying
the most disgusting sounding conversation. The three could not
understand a single word among all the snarls, spits and snorts.
Jess held the torch back from the door while Alton and Mari crept
forward. As the two reached the edge of the door and peered around
Jess thought she saw them signal for her to join them. As she
crept forward the torchlight alerted two goblins arguing over
burnt rats.
One of the goblins immediately ran towards a corridor on the
right. Mari, quick as lightening, shot a rock from her sling at
the goblin but missed. Alton grunted and knocked an arrow, fired
and… also missed. Then like a bolt of lightening in the dark,
Jess ran past both of them with her sword drawn.